Scandinavian journal of caring sciences
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Increasing muscular atrophy and joint instability in the post-polio syndrome (PPS) leads to muscle and joint pain. The aim of this study was to describe how persons with post-polio syndrome (PPS) perceive their pain and how the pain affects their everyday lives. The Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI-S) was used together with supplementary questions concerning location and verbal description of the pain. ⋯ Activities such as outdoor work, social and other activities away from home involve difficulties, according to the results. The study group could manage their pain, experienced social support, and especially women managed to carry out household chores despite their pain. The MPI-S demonstrates acceptable reliability for this study group.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a nursing and medical intervention programme for the prevention and treatment of delirium in elderly patients treated for femoral neck fractures. Forty-nine patients consecutively admitted to an orthogeriatric rehabilitation unit in a county hospital in northern Sweden were compared with historical cohorts of corresponding patients in the same and other hospitals. There was a total reorganization of nursing and medical care of patients with femoral neck fractures. ⋯ The main result of the study was that the incidence of delirium was significantly lower than in all previously published studies. The incidence of other postoperative complications was also lower, and a larger proportion of the patients regained independent walking ability and could return to their previous living conditions on discharge. It can be concluded that the intervention programme reduced the incidence and duration of delirium and improved functional outcome for elderly patients treated for femoral neck fractures.
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Psychiatric nurses in The Netherlands are moving out of residential mental health institutions and are pioneering home care for the acutely and chronically mentally ill. The purpose of this study was to identify the interventions nurses currently use and to describe the differences between crisis-oriented and long-term psychiatric home care. Data was collected of 159 nursing care plans from four participating crisis-oriented and two long-term psychiatric home care teams. ⋯ Medication Management, Coping Assistance and Activity Therapy were the most frequently undertaken nursing interventions in both types of care. Within crisis-oriented care, Emotional Support and Self-esteem Enhancement dominated, whereas long-term care focused on Socialization Enhancement and Home Maintenance Assistance. The results will be used for further research and for standardization of nursing care plans within these categories of nursing practice.